Bearden High senior Jacob Sobota would have been the favorite to win the TSSAA Class AAA decathlon this week, but he won’t get to compete for the prestigious title because of a late-season injury.

“I scratched Jacob from the decathlon,” Bearden Coach Patty Thewes said via e-mail Friday. “He was unable to perform as we were hoping with his other events at the (sectional) due to injury, so we are planning on him just doing pole vaulting at state. But we’ll have to see how he’s doing (this) week. His wellbeing is more important.”

Sobota placed second in the state decathlon last season and turned in the top sectional score (6,472 points) in state qualifying this spring.

A healthy Sobota also would have made the Bulldogs strong contenders this year for the state track and field title.

“Well it does affect the outcome we were hoping for at state meet,” said Coach Thewes. “That’s life. We are going to go and do our best. I’ll be proud of our boys if they give their best effort regardless of outcome.”

Jacob has the state’s top mark in the pole vault this season (15 feet, 7 inches)

Joshua Sobota, Jacob’s brother, will be going after state titles in two field events. He has the state’s top marks this season in the shot put (62 feet, 9 inches) and discus (182-10) events.

Bearden’s Shawn Stacy also has the state’s best high jump this spring at 6-8.

On the girls’ side, KIL champion Hardin Valley is expected to contend for state honors in Class AAA and Rebecca Story, Christian Academy of Knoxville junior, will be trying to better the TSSAA’s oldest girls’ state record in the 1600-meter run.